# how much does a splunger cost? **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [July 24, 2016, 6:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-does-a-splunger-cost/760790 "2016-07-24T18:36:28Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 18\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![spamforbrains](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e274bd/32.png) [@spamforbrains](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/spamforbrains)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2016, 6:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-does-a-splunger-cost/760790/1 "2016-07-24T18:36:28Z")
So tech geeks, which I am not, my most favorite electronic device, an Acer chromebook I bought for $80 several years ago, has started overheating. I diagnosed the fan was clogged up with dog hair and dirt (we have an abundance of both) and looked up how to fix it. Apparently I need a thingy called a “splunger.” Considering the device’s original lack of cost, is it worth it to buy a tool to open it up? Perhaps I could improvise with duct tape and paperclips? I’m good with duct tape. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2016, 6:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-does-a-splunger-cost/760790/2 "2016-07-24T18:45:12Z")
Do you perhaps mean a [spudger](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spudger)? ---
**Author:** ![spamforbrains](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e274bd/32.png) [@spamforbrains](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/spamforbrains)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2016, 6:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-does-a-splunger-cost/760790/3 "2016-07-24T18:52:42Z")
That just looks like a pointy stick. Do they actually sell them? I can make a pointy stick. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2016, 7:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-does-a-splunger-cost/760790/4 "2016-07-24T19:02:50Z")
Have you looked on Amazon or eBay for either a splunger or a spudger? I suspect you might find one or the other for sale. ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2016, 7:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-does-a-splunger-cost/760790/5 "2016-07-24T19:20:44Z")
Based on the wiki article, the OP can also get an orange wood cuticle pusher ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2016, 7:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-does-a-splunger-cost/760790/6 "2016-07-24T19:42:09Z")
Exactly which model is your computer? Because [this page](https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/Acer+Chromebook+C710+Cooling+Fan+Replacement/18709) has step-by-step instructions for replacing the cooling fan on an Acer Chromebook C710 and it sounds like you could kludge something for the few steps that require the splunger/spudger. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2016, 7:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-does-a-splunger-cost/760790/7 "2016-07-24T19:43:52Z")
[Splunge!](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qdNCEL5JKF8&t=0m30s) ---
**Author:** ![Amateur\_Barbarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/59ef9b/32.png) [@Amateur\_Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Amateur_Barbarian)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2016, 7:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-does-a-splunger-cost/760790/8 "2016-07-24T19:50:04Z")
Spooon! Runnnnnncible Spooooon! ---
**Author:** ![ftg](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ftg/32/2801_2.png) [@ftg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ftg)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2016, 9:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-does-a-splunger-cost/760790/9 "2016-07-24T21:15:32Z")
Many hard plastic items with an edge can be used. E.g., a thickish guitar pick. (Use the edge or the most rounded corner.) In fact, one of the kits I got a bit back for replacing a phone screen came with a tool that was basically a pick with a center thingie to limit the distance it could be inserted. I’ve accumulated quite a few such tools in recent years from kits to repair various devices. OTOH, the edge does wear out. You can also make one. Take a quality plastic fork/spoon/whatever, cut the end of the handle back a bit and file it to make a wedge shaped edge ---
**Author:** ![Quartz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quartz/32/267_2.png) [@Quartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quartz)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2016, 10:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-does-a-splunger-cost/760790/10 "2016-07-24T22:42:43Z")
> [@spamforbrains](#): > > I diagnosed the fan was clogged up with dog hair and dirt (we have an abundance of both) and looked up how to fix it. You need an appropriate screwdriver to disassemble the computer. Then you remove the fan and clean it and the duct. Then you reassemble. ---
**Author:** ![spamforbrains](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e274bd/32.png) [@spamforbrains](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/spamforbrains)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2016, 2:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-does-a-splunger-cost/760790/11 "2016-07-25T02:21:38Z")
> [@](#): > > Spooon! Runnnnnncible Spooooon! can you get those cartoons anywhere? I love Tick. The original, not the live-action ripoff. I’d love to watch them again. ---
**Author:** ![Count\_Blucher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c5a1d2/32.png) [@Count\_Blucher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Count_Blucher)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2016, 2:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-does-a-splunger-cost/760790/12 "2016-07-25T02:53:20Z")
You could probably get by with a precision screwdriver from a precision screwdriver set. If you don’t have one already, most big box and hardware stores sell them for less than $5. [Picture](http://images.esellerpro.com/2921/I/710/2/54011C.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![spamforbrains](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e274bd/32.png) [@spamforbrains](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/spamforbrains)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2016, 3:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-does-a-splunger-cost/760790/13 "2016-07-25T03:00:32Z")
I think my dad’s eyeglass fixing kit might work. It has some tiny screwdrivers that look like the screws in the computer. I’ll give it a shot tomorrow. ---
**Author:** ![gnoitall](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/bb73d2/32.png) [@gnoitall](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gnoitall)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2016, 3:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-does-a-splunger-cost/760790/14 "2016-07-25T15:23:35Z")
[iFixit](https://www.ifixit.com/Search?query=acer+chromebook) has some information about working with various Acer Chromebooks (you didn’t mention what model you use). This includes step-by-step photo guides to disassembly/assembly and component changeouts (the latter probably doesn’t apply in your case). They also sell tools, but that’s obviously optional as long as you can come up with equivalents. ETA: one piece of advice: keep the screws organized as you remove them. In many devices, different screws go into different screw holes, and they’re not interchangeable. You want to organize any hardware and fasteners you remove so you can tell where they go back at re-assembly time. ---
**Author:** ![Jumpbass](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jumpbass/32/147_2.png) [@Jumpbass](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jumpbass)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2016, 3:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-does-a-splunger-cost/760790/15 "2016-07-25T15:28:50Z")
> [@spamforbrains](#): > > can you get those cartoons anywhere? I love Tick. The original, not the live-action ripoff. I’d love to watch them again. They’re available on DVD. I have both seasons. “I am MIGHTY!” ---
**Author:** ![Doug\_K](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b5ac83/32.png) [@Doug\_K](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doug_K)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2016, 3:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-does-a-splunger-cost/760790/16 "2016-07-25T15:51:55Z")
> [@Count\_Blucher](#): > > You could probably get by with a precision screwdriver from a precision screwdriver set. If you don’t have one already, most big box and hardware stores sell them for less than $5. > > [Picture](http://images.esellerpro.com/2921/I/710/2/54011C.jpg) A small screwdriver will work in a pinch, but it _will_ leave marks. The reason for using a spudger is you can pry without leaving marks. Also it’s non-conductive so you don’t have the risk of frying an IC. ---
**Author:** ![muldoonthief](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muldoonthief/32/3188_2.png) [@muldoonthief](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/muldoonthief)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2016, 6:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-does-a-splunger-cost/760790/17 "2016-07-25T18:02:45Z")
> [@gnoitall](#): > > [iFixit](https://www.ifixit.com/Search?query=acer+chromebook) has some information about working with various Acer Chromebooks (you didn’t mention what model you use). > > This includes step-by-step photo guides to disassembly/assembly and component changeouts (the latter probably doesn’t apply in your case). They also sell tools, but that’s obviously optional as long as you can come up with equivalents. > > ETA: one piece of advice: keep the screws organized as you remove them. In many devices, different screws go into different screw holes, and they’re not interchangeable. You want to organize any hardware and fasteners you remove so you can tell where they go back at re-assembly time. Yep, and take pictures as you go. Every time you’re going to remove something, take a picture first. ---
**Author:** ![CookingWithGas](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cookingwithgas/32/485_2.png) [@CookingWithGas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookingWithGas)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2016, 5:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-does-a-splunger-cost/760790/18 "2016-07-27T17:35:41Z")
> [@Doug\_K](#): > > A small screwdriver will work in a pinch, but it _will_ leave marks. Marks or worse–if the part you are prying presents resistance you could crack it with a metal screwdriver. I can’t speak to the specific chromebook you have, but I have taken apart a cell phone to replace the screen and those parts are unforgiving of errors.